Vinson Voice MAY10_LQ

I T I: VINSON VIGNETTE | SAILOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT | SAILORS AND CHESS | ASK THE WIZARD Vol 03 No 48 | May 10, 2012

STORY BY

MC3 (SW/AW) Luke B. Meineke | Carl Vinson Staff Writer

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ne hundred fifty-eight first class petty officers (FCPOs), with hopes of wearing achors in their not-so-distant futures, are in the middle of the CPO 365 program’s Phase II. Designed to prepare and train FCPOs for their future leadership roles and maintain continued focus and development once selected to the rank of Chief Petty Officer (CPO), the CPO 365 program is in its second year in practice, but its first onboard Vinson, said Senior Chief Logistics Specialist (SW) Juan L. Gutierrez, Supply Department S-8 Division leading chief petty officer.

“As enlisted leaders, FCPOs play a vital role in the development and mentorship of junior Sailors,” Gutierrez said. “Training and guidance is important to strengthen their leadership skills and ensure their success.”

“The concept is to give them training year-round, rather

Cover illustration by: MC2(SW) Patrick Green | Carl Vinson Staff Graphic Artist

than to only provide the intense training normally associated with Induction (the six-week training period all CPO selects undergo leading up to their frocking to CPO on or about 16 September each year),” said Chief Aviation Administrationman Chad W. Cochuyt, assigned to Weapons Department’s G-1 Division.

“Overall, this will provide Selectees who are more prepared for the transition from blueshirt to khaki.”

“Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (Rick D.) West wanted our CPO Selectees to be better prepared for Induction and to have a sizable percentage of our FCPOs across our Navy receive valuable training that will make them more effective deckplate leaders,” Gutierrez added.

CPO 365 is divided into three sections – Phases I, II and

CONTINUE ‘365’ ON PAGE 2

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III – and begins Sept. 17, the day after the previous year’s selected Chiefs are pinned.

Available to all time-in-rate eligible FCPOs, Phase I builds a foundation of knowledge that serves as a starting point for follow-on phases. Phase II, in which Vinson board-eligible FCPOs are currently training, focuses on tasks and qualifications to strengthen leadership skills, and Phase III emphasizes the development of CPO Selectees.

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 1st Class (AW/SW) Omar Bamba, Air Department V-2 Division’s waist catapults leading petty officer, did not know much about the program when he first learned of it.

“I didn’t know ‘365’ stood for 365 days,” he laughed. “I knew it was going to be a lot of classroom time, but it’s a little bit more than that. It’s PT, classroom and a lot of interaction with people you’ll possibly go through Induction with.”

Bamba observed CPO 365 takes what was normally a compressed six-week training period and spreads it out over the course of a year. This allows for not only a larger volume of training, but an increased focus on training leaders.

“You can’t just sit there and hide at a table in the back. They are going to assign everybody something to make sure you stand up and give your point of view.

That’s one thing I like about it – everyone gives an opinion. You’re going to learn leadership because you’re going to hear different points of view on an issue.”

Leadership training, FCPO and CPO histories, ways to actively communicate, evaluation and awards writing, and PT at 5:30 a.m. are several of the components comprising CPO 365.

“I think they wanted to give the first class community the best training possible to become a chief. The Navy’s trying it’s best to get the best out of the first classes,” Bamba said.

Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Christopher Salinas, Legal Department’s leading petty officer and a board-eligible FCPO is up for Chief Petty Officer for his third time. “The first and second years, I didn’t think I was ready. Sometimes you don’t see when you’re ready or not, because you gotta have experience to put on Chief – it’s a big responsibility.”

In order to better prepare the FCPOs, Phase II of CPO 365 takes the training out of the hands of the Chief ’s Mess and places it with the FCPOs. “The board-eligible FCPOs conduct and lead the training with guidance from the 365 training team leaders,” Gutierrez explained.

“We’re giving classes on different topics, kind of to help the junior guys that have never done it before, like with evaluations, awards and boards,” Salinas said. “We’re also learning professional military education (PME). They teach you about how to march Sailors, drill them, form them up for physical training.”

Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) (SW/AW) Scott Doty,

Hangar Bay leading chief petty officer, said he has been impressed with the development of the training program and that of the FCPOs. “The FCPOs have become more open to the training the further we get into it,” Doty said.

“They have a better understanding of what is expected of them and what it means to be a Chief.”

Salinas said the training, however much it covers, is only as effective as the effort of those receiving it. “It’s like anything you do,” he said. “If you’re not putting your heart into it, you’re just going through the motions. I guess it’s all about what you make of it.”

Well into its second phase, following the maxim ‘training, training and more training’ and with more intense and direct training to come, CPO 365 is being viewed as a success. “The quality of the training will leave a permanent impact on the future of our CPO community for years to come,” Gutierrez added.

“I think it is going to be a successful program and is going to lead to new Chief Selectees being more prepared to join the Mess, as well as more highly-trained first classes in the case of those who are not selected,” Cochuyt said. “I think the program is a positive way for the Chiefs to develop a more hands-on approach to first classes how to become better leaders, which will benefit everybody involved and give the ship and the Navy a stronger Chiefs’ Mess and first class petty officer population.”

First Class Petty Officers take part in group PT as part of the CPO 365 program. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 (SW/AW) Lori D. Bent.

May 10, 2012

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arl Vinson was in his Maryland home when he heard the first radio reports of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. He immediately telephoned the Navy Department for confirmation, and declared, “I’m coming down.” Vinson stayed at the department for the remainder of the day, conferring with top officials as further reports came in. The next evening, Vinson went to the White House to begin mapping the legislative authorizations needed to equip the U.S. for World War II. Despite naval losses suffered by both the U.S. and Great Britain in the Pacific, Vinson maintained the battleship would continue to form an important part of the world’s navies and the U.S. would continue to build them.

Commenting on the considerable damage

at Peal Harbor, Vinson said it merely showed the fleet had to have adequate air protection, just as the infantry also needed proper aerial support.

“The nation must make sacrifices, and the people are ready to make them. I’ve heard little complaint about taxes, and there will be more taxes. It’s merely a question of pulling as many feathers with as few squawks as possible.”

Even this early, before any of the actual combat had begun for the U.S., Vinson declared the nation would have to maintain a much larger Army and Navy after the war.

“We can’t remain isolated when we can turn on our radio any morning and listen to every capital in the world. In the future we must be prepared for any eventuality. It wouldn’t surprise me if we did not adopt a universal military training, such as has been in operation in the European countries for years.”

Throughout December of 1941 and early 1942, there was a rush to authorize and appropriate funds for the immediate Naval building effort. Debate on these measures was usually short and objections were raised only to secure a brief résumé of the bill’s contents from Vinson. A bill authorizing construction of 1,799 auxiliary vessels was introduced, debated and passed in precisely ten minutes. Vinson made it clear in his statements that the Congress could not fight the war. The job was for the men trained in warfare, and he appealed to Congress to have confidence in those men.

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SAILOR

IN

the

SPOTLIGHT PR3 (AW) Carlos Nurse | AIMD Department IM-2 Division

At the end of last deployment, Nurse was asked to extend his contract for a year to make this deployment with the ship. Though it was a hard decision, he decided to go for it.

Castillo said he was conflicted about asking Nurse to extend, but was pleasantly surprised.

“It really surprised me that he came STORY BY back because I didn’t expect it. I was MCSN (SW) Shentel Downes | happy to have him along again,” he Carl Vinson Staff Writer said.

Nurse said he extended because he “ e’re the last to let you down.” enjoys working with Castillo so much.

It’s the motto of the Gold “It’s amazing how one person can Eagle Paraloft shop, and one Aircrew change everyone’s view of how a real Survival Equipmentman 3rd Class paraloft shop should be ran,” Nurse (AW) Carlos noted. “Another Nurse takes thing is that I “Some people will go and play video very seriously. get the best of games or hang out with friends after “I enjoy doing both worlds. A my job,” Nurse work, but Nurse makes sure he’s always in little bit of shore said, “And I do duty and a little touch with his daughter.” it knowing I can bit of sea duty.” be the one that While Castillo | PRC (AW/SW) Jose Castillo, IM-2 LCPO | saves a pilot’s is impressed life if they go with Nurse’s down.” maturity and patience, there’s another aboard last deployment.

Nurse is one of two technicians Castillo said he was impressed with quality Nurse possesses. on board for this deployment, Nurse from the first time they met.

“He has a family mentality that’s rare temporarily assigned to Carl Vinson’s “He’s got both technical knowledge in someone so young,” Castillo said.

Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance and common sense,” Castillo said. “He’s very much into his daughter.

Department’s (AIMD) IM-2 Division “When he has a question, he sits and Some people will go and play video from Flight Readiness Center listens to what I tell him, and learns games or hang out with friends after Mid-Atlantic. His job is extremely from it, instead of interrupting. He’s work, but Nurse makes sure he’s always important to supporting the ship’s very mature for his age, and that’s why in touch with his daughter.” mission because the equipment I made him the night supervisor earlier As we reach the end of deployment, he maintains keeps pilots alive in this deployment.”

Castillo said he’s been glad to have the event their aircraft goes down.

While working as the night Nurse along because he’s just a Throughout this deployment, he’s supervisor, Nurse’s responsibility is to genuinely good guy and great to work been responsible for repairing oxygen oversee induction and issuing of gear, with. regulators that allow pilots to breathe accept inspections on gear, and to train “He always beats me at work,” Castillo while in the cockpit of their jets, and and assign priorities to two other third said. “But if that’s his only fault, I can repairs, inspects, and repacks A/ class petty officers. live with it.”

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PP22P-11 and A/P22P20 type parachutes.

“Nurse repairs concentrators and liquid oxygen (LOX) convertersthey can be fried or totally broken and look like they were blown up.

He’ll disappear for a few hours or a few days and come back with it looking like new,” said IM-2’s leading chief petty officer Chief Aircrew Survival Equipmentman (AW/SW) Jose Castillo.

“He has amazing patience.”

Even though he’s not ship’s company, Nurse’s maturity and strong work ethic caught Castillo’s eye when he arrived

May 10, 2012

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STORY BY

MC3 (SW/AW) Rosa A. Arzola | Carl Vinson Staff Writer

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wo Carl Vinson Sailors will represent the Navy as part of the 2012 United States Armed Forces Chess Team at the international military 23rd Annual North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Chess Championships competition in Brest, France, Sept. 30 through Oct. 6.

The chess team, made up of six activeduty military members, will include Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department’s (AIMD) Maintenance Officer Cmdr. Paul Choate and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class (AW) Enrico Balmaceda assigned to Air Department’s V-2 Division.

Choate, a Vietnam native, described this event as a unique experience since it is the first time two Sailors from the same command get to compete in this tournament together.

“Usually it’s one or two representatives competing from the Navy, but never from the same command,” Choate said. “Not anyone can compete; it is very difficult to qualify for this tournament.”

According to Naval instruction, 12 of the top-rated Navy chess team applicants who competed in the All-Navy Chess Qualifier tournament were selected to compete for a spot on the six-member All-Navy Chess team in March 2012.

The requirements to qualify for a spot on the All-Navy Chess team include being on active duty with the Navy, Coast Guard, or U.S Department of Health and Human Services, being a U.S. Chess Federation member in good standing, in possession of a current established U.S. Chess Federation rating or in the process of establishing rating, and able to obtain command authorization to compete in the Navy qualifier, the Interservice tournament and the NATO tournament if selected to advance to each level of competition.

The All-Navy Chess team traditionally competes in the Interservice Chess Tournament (ICT) with players from other military services, but that was not the case this year. From there, the top six players

Cmdr. Paul Choate and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class (AW) Enrico Balmaceda. Photo by MC3 (SW/AW) Nicolas C. Lopez

earn a spot to compete in the NATO Chess Championships.

The NATO Chess Championships has both a team and individual winner. The team with the highest score wins after each team’s players’ points are added together. The player with the highest score at the end of the tournament takes the individual winner title. A few times the individual winner is not part of the team winner, Choate explained.

According to Choate, this year the top three finishers from the All-Navy Chess Qualifier tournament were automatically advanced to the NATO tournament.

“I feel great to not only represent my country in the NATO tournament but also to be recognized as a good chess player,” Balmaceda said. “When I first found out I was competing in the NATO championship, I felt so happy. It’s an honor.”

“I know I have to be well prepared if I am competing in such strong tournament,” Choate added. “Maybe I wasn’t as prepared in the previous ones, so I am studying books and practicing by playing tournaments. I also plan to train with Balmaceda.”

Both Sailors learned to play chess from their fathers,startedcompetinginchesstournaments at the age of 12, and are nationally ranked in the Expert category. This is Balmaceda’s first time competing in the NATO tournament, whereas it will be the third time for Choate.

“I have participated in the 2002 and 2008 NATO tournaments,” Choate said. “We get to play against the strongest players in the world. I have had the opportunity to play against the very strong German and Belgian players.”

For both players, knowing chess is not necessarily about mastering techniques or strategies – to them, it means a bit more than that.

“For me, chess is not just a fun pastime; I also relate it to life decisions,” Balmaceda said. “If you make a mistake, it is up to you to quickly learn and recover from it. Many players cannot mentally recover from a loss. I’ve learned to just set the pieces up and fight hard every game.”

“To play chess it’s not just about following the theory,” he continued. “You have to know how to control the center, develop your pieces, have end game, but most importantly you have to respect your opponent. Whether weak or strong, never underestimate your opponent.”

And whether they win or lose, they both understand that having the privilege to compete in this championship is more than enough.

“This will be good because we get to represent not just the Navy but the Carl Vinson and show what our team effort is all about,” Choate said.

May 10, 2012

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Ask The Wizard Returning Home COLUMN BY

Lt. Cmdr. Robert Lippy | Carl Vinson Clinical Psychologist

I

thought it appropriate this week to talk a bit about returning home. Hopefully most of you had an opportunity to attend some of the Return & Reunion briefings last week either in person or on SITE TV. I think it is important for our mental health and resilience to heed the lessons learned that were presented in these briefings, even if we have heard them before. I want to reiterate some of the most important Return & Reunion lessons from my perspective.

The first point to remember is that over the course of the deployment, you have changed!

Regardless of your job, you have changed in some way, and will likely approach life a bit differently upon return home. An important caveat if you have loved ones is to remember that they too have changed.

Change is always difficult, but the more open we are to accepting change, the better off we tend to be (i.e., less stressed, more resilient).

Consistent with the fact that you have changed, I encourage you to do your best to take things slow! Ease your way back into your relationships.

It is unrealistic to expect that you will be able to pick right up exactly where you left off prior to deployment (remember we’ve changed). For those with a spouse and/or children, it can be difficult to accept that life has continued on for them without you. Often times we want to jump right back in and resume our roles as dad, mom, husband, wife, etc., but find this challenging because of the change that has occurred and the fact that they have been forced to learn how to get along without you. This does not mean you are not important or loved any less, it just means that you have to ease your way into re-integrating back into the family.

Above all, I highly recommend you stay away from the “I had it worse!” conversation. Everyone onboard this ship knows how

hard we have worked over these past five-plus months - the extremely long hours, the qualifications, watches, inspections, the constant vigilance, all with the highest expectations and standards – we have sacrificed. It is easy to believe that our family and loved ones have had it easy back home. But remember, they too have sacrificed. They have had to assume your responsibilities while you have been gone, in addition to their own responsibilities.

Some family may have had to ‘carry the load’ with little or no social support. So remember that everyone has sacrificed and worked hard, and express your appreciation of that fact.

Finally, remember to monitor your stress level as you reintegrate. Use the stress continuum (the colored chart) that most of you should have been exposed to at some point.

The message I tell most people is that some amount of stress is okay – even adaptable – but too much stress is unhealthy and unproductive. That is why we have to monitor not only our stress, but our Shipmates’ stress, and even our family’s stress, and intervene early. If you find that your stress is getting worse and starting to impair your performance or negatively affect your relationships, then it is time to ask for help. Remember, there are a variety of resources to get help including the following: Shipmates Chain of command Chaplains Medical / Ship’s Mental Health / DAPA / SARP National Suicide Hotline (1-800-SUICIDE, 784-2433) Fleet and Family Service Center (FFSC; 619-556-8712 or 1-866-923-6478) – provide both Individual and Marital Counseling, Anger Management and Stress Management Workshops, Financial Counseling, New Parent Support, Employment Assistance, Victim Assistance.

Military One Source (1-800-342-9647; www. militaryonesource.mil) – provides up to 12 FREE individual or marital counseling sessions with a local civilian provider (no referral needed, nothing in your Medical Record).

Due to our impending return home, and the upcoming POM period, this will be my last column for a while. I hope to resume the column in the future. Remember, if you have specific questions, continue to email me at Robert.Lippy@cvn70.navy.mil with the subject line “Ask the Wizard.”

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DIALOGUES D E C K P L A T E

| What kind of tournament would you win? |

“Soccer because that is the only sport that I play.”

Andres

LS2 Hernandez

“Stand up paddling competition.”

An n a

LSSN Ho u s ton

“Mancala… I’m the best.”

ITSN (SW) D e e X i o n g

“Eating competition, I love to eat.”

AC2 (SW/AW) A l e x a n d e r A l l e n

STAFF

|PUBLISHER|

STAFF

CAPT. KENT D. WHALEN COMMANDING OFFICER

|EXECUTIVE EDITORS| LT. CMDR. ERIK REYNOLDS PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

LT. ERIK SCHNEIDER

ASSISTANT PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

|EDITOR IN CHIEF|

MCC (SW/AW) MONICA R. NELSON MEDIA ALCPO

|MANAGING EDITOR| MC2 (SW) BYRON C. LINDER

Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Isaiah Sawyers, assigned to the Weapons Department’s G-3 Division, fires an M-9 pistol during a weapons qualification on the fantail. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 (SW) James R. Evans.

ESWS||EAWS

Rodmeter (Pitsword) Senses the speed of the water under the ship relative to the ship’s hull.

Located: In the underwater trunk (8-73-2-Q) under and accessed through #2 JP5 pump room.

Evaporators The evaporator consists of a coil of copper, aluminum, or aluminum alloy tubing installed in the space to be refrigerated. Liquid R-12 enters the tubing at a reduced pressure and, therefore, with a lower boiling point.

|PHOTO EDITOR|

MC2 (SW) JAMES R. EVANS

|GRAPHICS/LAYOUT| MC2 (SW) PATRICK GREEN

|STAFF WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS| MC2 (SW/AW) LORI D. BENT MC3 (SW/AW) ROSA A. ARZOLA MC3 (SW/AW) NICOLAS C. LOPEZ MC3 (SW/AW) LUKE B. MEINEKE MCSN (SW) SHENTEL DOWNES